Transport fares up by P1 on Monday

Starting Monday, passengers will pay a minimum fare of P4 in jeepneys and buses nationwide.

Land Transportation and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Dante Lantin announced yesterday a fare increase from P3 to P4 for the first five kilometers for jeepneys and buses in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

However, Lantin said the additional charge for every succeeding kilometer will vary in Metro Manila, other parts of Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

Lantin said Metro Manila jeepney passengers will be charged an additional 63.5 centavos for each succeeding kilometer; 57 centavos in other parts of Luzon; and 57.5 centavos for those in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Buses in Metro Manila will collect an additional 87 centavos; 90 centavos in other parts of Luzon; and 90.5 centavos for buses plying the Visayas and Mindanao, he added.

Lantin said students, the disabled, and senior citizens must be given a 20 percent discount in fares in jeepneys and buses, upon presentation of their proper identification cards.

Lantin said these special passengers will pay a minimum P2.50 for the first five kilometers in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; and that anyone who refuses to give them discounts will be penalized under LTFRB rules.

For each succeeding kilometer, the additional charge will be different in Metro Manila, other parts of Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, he added.

Lantin said students, and elderly and disabled passengers in jeepneys in Metro Manila will pay an additional 51 centavos; 46 centavos in other parts of Luzon; and 46 centavos for passengers in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Buses in Metro Manila will collect an additional 70 centavos from students, the elderly, and disabled for every succeeding kilometer; 72 centavos in other parts of Luzon; and in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Lantin said the approved fares must be posted in a conspicuous place in jeepneys and buses, and in their terminals and stations, for the information of the riding public, and to avoid disputes with drivers and conductors.

Any driver or operator who fails to post the information in their vehicles and terminals or stations will be fined and penalized under LTFRB and LTO rules and regulations, he added.

Lantin said operators found overcharging or undercharging passengers shall be given the corresponding penalties prescribed for the offenses.

Lantin said air-conditioned buses are authorized to charge higher fares that those provided for in the LTFRB decision raising the fares in jeepneys and buses throughout the country.

Lantin said LTFRB regional offices may, upon proper notice and hearing, adjust jeepney and bus fares pursuant to petitions filed with these offices, provided the fare rates will not be higher than those authorized by the LTFRB.

Lantin said the LTFRB held a series of public hearings over a period of two months, with the riding public represented by the Office of the Solicitor General.

Lantin said applications for a fare hike were filed by three major bus associations –INTERBOA for Metro Manila buses, PBOAP and SOLUBOA for provincial buses –and four associations of jeepney operators and drivers –FEJODAP, PCDO-ACTO, KKPPI, and PISTON.— With Leo Solinap